Travel & expat guide
eSIM vs Roaming in Greece
Traveling to Greece? Compare eSIM, roaming, local SIM and pocket Wi‑Fi. Real prices, setup steps, and tips for tourists and expats.
Greece has Networks include Vodafone (5G), Wind (5G). 5G is available in major cities; 4G/LTE covers most of the country.
Quick verdict
- Best for most trips and new arrivals: prepaid eSIM — instant setup, no store visit, predictable cost.
- Good for long stays (30+ days): local prepaid SIM if you need a local number and don't mind in-store registration.
- Use with caution: home carrier roaming — daily fees and fair-use caps can add up quickly.
Roaming reality check
Post-Brexit, most UK plans charge daily fees for roaming in Greece. Coverage on popular islands (Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, Santorini) is generally good with Cosmote, Vodafone GR, and Wind, but smaller or remote islands can have patchy signal — particularly away from main towns.
Your options compared
| Option | Cost | Setup | Hotspot | Risk of bill shock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TimeTransfers eSIM | From 1,00 EUR for 100 MB (prepaid) | QR scan, 2–3 min | Yes | None (prepaid) |
| Home carrier roaming | Daily fee + fair-use cap | Automatic | Yes | Medium–High |
| Local prepaid SIM | Varies by carrier | Store + ID, 15–30 min | Yes | Low (prepaid) |
| Pocket Wi‑Fi rental | Daily rental + deposit | Pickup/return | Yes (shared) | Late/lost fees possible |
eSIM prices are live from our database. Other costs are general market descriptions — check your carrier's current rates before traveling.
When eSIM wins
- Short trips (1–30 days): activate before you leave, land connected.
- Arriving late or on a tight schedule: no queue at airport kiosks.
- Dual-SIM convenience: keep your home number for SMS/OTP, use eSIM for data.
- Budget-conscious: prepaid means you spend exactly what you choose, nothing more.
For expats and migrant workers
Greece attracts seasonal workers in tourism and hospitality — especially during the April–October peak. A growing number of digital nomads are based on islands like Crete and Corfu, drawn by the digital nomad visa. You need reliable data for remote work calls, booking ferries on Ferries.gr, and coordinating with agencies — an eSIM gives you coverage from the moment you land in Athens or step off the ferry.
- Day one coverage: have working data the moment you arrive — for navigation, translation apps, and emergency contacts.
- Keep banking access: your home SIM stays active for OTP/SMS verification codes from your bank.
- Bridge solution: use the eSIM while you sort out local contracts, registration, and housing — no pressure to choose a local carrier immediately.
- Family connections: video calls home over eSIM data cost nothing extra (WhatsApp, Viber, FaceTime).
Setup checklist
- Buy your Greece eSIM online (stay on Wi‑Fi).
- Open the install link from your email, or scan the QR code.
- Set the eSIM as your data line; keep your home SIM for calls and SMS.
- Enable data roaming for the eSIM profile (this connects to local partner networks).
- Test: open maps or run a speed test to confirm.
Local SIM: what to expect
Prepaid SIMs are available at Germanos stores (the main electronics/telecom chain), airport kiosks, and carrier shops in tourist areas. ID is required for registration. Cosmote and Vodafone offer tourist-friendly prepaid bundles with 10–30 GB.